20 May 2005

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to meet members of the McBrearty family in Sligo this evening to discuss their difficulties with the Morris Tribunal.

The tribunal was set up to investigate alleged garda corruption in Donegal, including the alleged harassment of the McBreartys, who own a local nightclub.

The family, however, has stopped co-operating with the inquiry because the State is refusing to cover the costs they incur.

The Government has repeatedly said it cannot guarantee to cover these costs because they are an issue solely for the tribunal.

Speaking ahead of today's meeting, Frank McBrearty Jnr said this was disingenuous.

"The Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice granted themselves the luxury of legal aid at the Morris Tribunal at the expense of the taxpayers and they are the people who caused the problems in Donegal," he said.